Many who attended the candlelight vigil left items at the memorial outside the mall for Brianna and Tyler (WBAL TV Image)

Patrick Centorbi, a friend of Brianna's who also works at a store in the mall, spoke at the vigil on behalf of her family and friends. (WBAL TV Image)

The memorial for Brianna and Tyler outside the mall near the Starbucks/carousel entrance to the mall (WBAL Photo by Scott Wykoff)

Hundreds gathered outside the Mall in Columbia to honor the memory of Brianna and Tyler at the candlelight vigil (WBAL TV Image)

The memorial inside the mall at the center court where folks can sign memory books and drop flowers into the fountain in memory of the two victims (WBAL Photo by Scott Wykoff)

Joan Scornaienchi spoke on behalf of Tyler's family and friends during the vigil

The U.S., Maryland and Howard County flags flying at half staff near the memorial for Brianna and Tyler outside the Mall In Columbia (WBAL Photo by Scott Wykoff)

The boarded-up store where the shooting happened has become a makeshift memorial at the mall with folks leaving messages (WBAL Photo by Scott Wykoff)

Hundrerds attended the candlelight vigil at the memorial outside the Mall in Columbia (WBAL TV Image)

Hundreds gathered Thursday evening for a candlelight vigil held in memory of the two shot and killed at the Mall in Columbia as memorial funds are established in their memory.

The vigil for Brianna Benlolo, 21, and Tyler Johnson, 25, started as the sun was setting and lasted for about a half hour at the outdoor memorial on The Plaza, near Starbucks entrance to the mall.

Candles were made available for folks and some people brought their own candles..

Some who attended the vigil also brought flowers that they placed at the foot of the banner at the memorial that reads, "Forever In Our Hearts".

"When Tyler met you, he didn't just see past you, he made you feel like you mattered, like you were important. When he hugged, it stopped you in your tracks and you knew that he was really connecting with you. Please hug each other with a Tyler hug this week," said Joan Webb Scornaienchi, with Drug-Free Howard County who spoke on behalf of Tyler's family and friends. She had just attended Tyler's Funeral

She said at one point in his life, he struggled with addiction, but he got his life together and was helping others with their battle.

"She always managed to brighten my day whenever she'd come by my store, keep me company on breaks and she was a really loving mother to her beautiful son, and all I wanted to say is please remember her as the amazing person she was and please strive to be the light in other people's lives, bring the happiness that she would bring to ours," said Patrick Centorbi, a friend of Brianna who worked at a store in the mall and who spoke on her behalf of her family and friends at the vigil.

Two memorial funds have been established in the name of the victims.

The Tyler Johnson Memorial Fund will benefit the Community Foundation of Howard County. Donations can be sent to 10630 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 315, Columbia, MD, 21044.

"Our hearts and prayers are with the families of Brianna Benlolo and Tyler Johnson," said Mall in Columbia Senior General Manager Ashley Venable as she spoke at the vigil.

"Their loss is the community's loss. We all need to be there for them and each other. The Mall In Columbia is part of the fabric of the community, a gathering place that represents family and togetherness. It is now time to begin the healing process and that is why we are here this evening."